Toppled trees cause dilemma for Baltimore Co. homeowner

From the family deck of Georgette Richardson's home there is a beautiful view of a park-like setting.

"It's nice. It's peaceful. It's in the middle of everything but it looks like it's in the country," Richardson said.

The pleasant atmosphere changed last Friday when a major storm and strong winds toppled some trees.

"I looked out the window and I actually saw all these trees swaying and parting and as they parted, four trees laid down like dominoes," Richardson said.

Uprooted, the branches of one tree brushed the deck. Richardson said a tree company she called will charge about $3,000 to cut and clear the debris, but she said she is leery to do anything because of signs near her home outlining a Baltimore County Forest Conservation District and warning "Do not disturb."

Richardson said the trees fell from that area. She said she is not sure what will happen if she removes them from her yard.

"I am worried about that later on down the line. They could penalize me or give me some type of fine for this situation," Richardson said.

Richardson said she contacted several county offices but no one could tell her how to handle it.

WBAL-TV 11 News checked with Director of the County Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainability Vincent Gardina.

"It's an ongoing issue with us in Baltimore County. We have a forest conservation easement required for certain developments. The idea is to promote and protect forests for habitat, wildlife and protection of water quality," Gardina said.

Violators can be ordered to replant trees or be fined $1,000 a day. Gardina said Richardson did the right thing to check. After looking at a map of her property and the conservation area, he said she can clear the downed trees.

"There are no penalties. She's allowed to clear the trees, remove them, use them for firewood or have them removed by a forester or do it herself (and) does not have to have a county permit," Gardina said.

Had the trees fallen and straddled her property and the conservation area, Richardson could cut them up to her property line. The rest would then have to remain on the ground.